Birding, Primates and Wildlife Safari in Uganda for 17 Days
The 17 Day Birding, Primates and Wildlife Safari in Uganda is an adventurous journey deep into the secluded jungles of Uganda. This safari takes you through central, southern, and northern Uganda, offering remarkable encounters with various bird and wildlife species. One of the highlights of this safari is the unforgettable experience of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Moreover, you’ll have the chance to witness all the Big 5 animals in their natural habitats. Designed as a budget-friendly safari, it aims to provide every traveler interested in birding and wildlife, including gorilla trekking, with an enriching experience.
Key Highlights of the Safari
- Location: The safari unfolds in Southwestern Uganda.
- Starting and Ending Point: The journey commences and concludes in Entebbe, Uganda.
- Exploration of Mabamba Swamp: You’ll visit Mabamba Swamp wetlands renowned for spotting the famous Shoebill stork.
- Visits to National Parks: The itinerary includes visits to various national parks such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (both northern and southern parts), Kibale Forest National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Rhino Tracking: A visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers the opportunity for rhino tracking alongside birding.
- Gorilla Trekking: Experience the thrill of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
- Countryside Exploration: Enjoy a countryside road trip in open-sided 4×4 vehicles with pop-up roofs, ideal for spotting birds.
- Airport Transfer: The safari includes transfers to and from the airport or hotel.
- Accommodation: Accommodation is inclusive throughout the safari.
- Safety Measures: The safari adheres to the new normal COVID post-lockdown safari standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Small Group Setting: Limited to a maximum of 6 people per group, ensuring personalized attention.
- Flexibility: The tour can depart on any day and is customizable to suit individual preferences.
- Solo Travelers Welcome: Solo travelers can join this tour without any hassle.
- Permits Included: Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits are pre-booked and included in the package.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport
After landing at Entebbe Airport, our guide will meet you and drive you to Gorilla African Guest House for overnight stay. Depending on your arrival time, optional activities such as a boat excursion to Ngamba Island or visits to nearby attractions can be arranged.
Day 2: Birding at Mabamba Swamp
Following an early breakfast, we’ll journey to Mabamba Swamp situated along Lake Victoria’s shores. This swamp is renowned for spotting the elusive shoebill stork and a variety of bird species. Navigating through the swamp in a canoe, we’ll search for birds like Goliath herons, white-faced whistling ducks, and blue-breasted bee-eaters. After the excursion, we’ll return to Gorilla African Guest House, birding along the way.
Day 3: Journey to Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, we’ll depart Gorilla African Guest House and head to Lake Mburo National Park, birding along the route. We’ll make stops at the Equator for photos and lunch en-route. At Kaku Swamp, we’ll observe various bird species before continuing to Lake Mburo National Park for an overnight stay at Rwakobo Rock Lodge.
Day 4: Birding and Boat Cruise at Lake Mburo
Beginning with a morning game drive/birding session in Lake Mburo National Park, we’ll explore its diverse avifauna. Following a picnic lunch at Rwonyo, we’ll embark on a boat cruise on Lake Mburo, encountering birds like African finfoot, African darter, and grey-crowned cranes. Afterward, we’ll return to Rwakobo Rock Lodge, birdwatching along the way.
Day 5: Journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, we’ll drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, birdwatching en-route amidst Uganda’s scenic landscapes. The journey will take us through lush hills adorned with banana and tea plantations. Lunch will be served on the way, and we’ll arrive at Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge in the evening.
Day 6: Gorilla Tracking and Transfer to Ruhija
Following an early breakfast, we’ll head to Ruhija Park headquarters for a briefing before embarking on a gorilla tracking adventure. The trek duration varies depending on gorilla location, offering about an hour for observation and photography upon finding them. Afterward, we’ll receive certificates and transfer to Broad Bill Forest Camp or Bakiga Lodge for overnight stay.
Day 7: Birding at Mubwindi Swamp
Today, we’ll spend the day birding at Mubwindi Swamp, known for its rich avian diversity. The trail offers sightings of elusive species such as Grauer’s broadbill and Regal sunbird. Expect to encounter a wide range of bird species, including raptors, cuckoos, and woodpeckers. We’ll return to our lodge for meals and relaxation.
Day 8: Birding to Buhoma through “The Neck”
We’ll embark on a birding excursion to Buhoma via “The Neck,” a forested area renowned for birdwatching. Here, we’ll search for Albertine Rift Endemics and other bird species like Rwenzori nightjar and African green broadbill. The journey will also offer sightings of various forest inhabitants. We’ll spend the night at Buhoma Community Rest Camp.
Day 9: Journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Leaving in the morning, we’ll travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying scenic vistas and birdwatching opportunities en-route. Upon arrival, we’ll have lunch at the lodge before embarking on a game drive in Kasenyi plains, where we’ll spot savannah wildlife and diverse bird species. Our accommodation for the night will be at Elephant Hab/Buffalo Resort.
Day 10: Bird Watching in Queen Elizabeth National Park – Boat Ride
Early in the morning, we have breakfast and prepare our packed lunch. Then, we embark on a bird watching and game drive adventure through the Kasenyi plains in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This park is home to an impressive array of bird species, with over 615 recorded, making it one of the richest birding spots in the world. Some of the birds we hope to spot include the Red Chested, Diederik, and Klaas’s Cuckoo, along with various eagles, vultures, and harriers. We drive towards Mweya Peninsula, enjoy our picnic lunch, and then take a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel for a different perspective of wildlife and birds. Later, we return to our lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11: Journey to Kibale Forest National Park, with Birding Stop at Maramagambo Forest
After breakfast, we pack our lunch and leave our lodge. Our next destination is Maramagambo Forest, where we’ll engage in bird watching and a nature walk. Here, we hope to encounter various bird species such as the Blue-breasted Kingfisher and Chestnut Wattle Eye, among others. We may also catch sight of primates like the Black and white Colobus monkey. In the afternoon, we continue our journey to Kibale Forest National Park, arriving in the evening to check in at the lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 12: Bird Watching in Kibale Forest National Park and Bigodi Swamp
Early in the morning, we start our day with bird watching in Kibale forest. This forest boasts more than 300 bird species, including specialties like the Green-breasted Pitta and Red-chested Owlet. After returning to the lodge for lunch, we head to Bigodi swamp for a nature walk and more bird watching. Here, we may spot species such as the Buff-spotted Woodpecker and Great-blue Turaco. Later, we return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 13: Birding Journey from Kibale Forest to Murchison Falls
After breakfast and with packed lunch in tow, we begin bird watching as we journey towards Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way, we’ll pass through tea plantations and observe the scenery of Fort Portal and local homesteads. We’ll make several birding stopovers before reaching the park in the evening for overnight stay.
Day 14: Birding towards the Delta in Murchison Falls National Park
Early in the morning, after breakfast and with our packed lunch, we cross the Nile by ferry to the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park. Here, we embark on a game drive and birding expedition towards the Delta, aiming to spot various bird species such as Bee-eaters, Sparrows, and Barbets, among others. We return to our camp or lodge in the evening for dinner and rest.
Day 15: Exploring the Nile Delta & Top of the Falls
After breakfast, we embark on a bird watching boat trip towards the Delta. Here, we hope to spot unique species such as the Papyrus Gonolek and White-winged Warbler. We also anticipate encountering a variety of mammals during our excursion. In the afternoon, we go for a boat cruise upstream to the bottom of Murchison Falls. Later, we return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 16: Bird Watching towards Budongo Forest
Following breakfast and with our packed lunch, we check out of the lodge and head to Budongo Forest for a half-day nature walk at Kaniyo-Pabidi. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to observe different bird species, including flycatchers, kingfishers, and eagles, among others. We return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 17: Return Journey to Entebbe International Airport with Birding Stops
We begin our journey back to Entebbe International Airport, with a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking. Along the way, we’ll have more opportunities for bird watching, with the possibility of spotting species like the Shoebill Stork and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill. Depending on flight times, we may relax at a lodge in Entebbe before departure, marking the end of our 17-day Uganda Birding Safari.
